My DD is on my case about diet soda as well. I’ve cut way back, but still love the bubbly tingle of a fountain Diet Coke. I am subbing seltzer water w/a twist of lime at home, more often than not, as I dislike flat soda from an opened up 2 liter bottle. Flat seltzer is less unappealing.
I tell my DD she’s done well with me, despite my continued diet coke consumption. She got me to eat, and actually crave, roasted garlicky Brussels sprouts. Wth? Me eating Brussels sprouts…must be the apocalypse.
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She got me to eat, and actually crave, roasted garlicky Brussels sprouts.
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I haven’t made them yet, but I hear they’re awesome
Brussel sprouts and lima beans are the 2 veggies I don’t eat.
I thought I’d go to the grave without ever eating them again (one bad childhood experience ). But really ladies…try this simple method:
Wash and quarter (halve if small). Put them on a cookie sheet. Drizzle olive oil, kosher salt, fresh cracked black pepper, and garlic powder. Roast in a 400 degree oven until they are brown and caramelized. So. So. Good! My Dd then tosses them in a splash of balsamic vinegar, but I skip that step .
The worst is the lingering smell. Open windows help.
@doschicos Can’t help with Lima beans. I don’t like beans much. Unless it’s in a hummus-y type presentation. Hubby loves Lima beans…married 29 years and I’ve not been able to bring myself to cook them. 
As vices go, Diet Coke is pretty tame. I make no apologies for my 3-can-a-day habit; it is something that I enjoy and does relatively little harm in the overall scheme of things. So, I’m not trying to cut down or find substitutes or to otherwise change my consumption. I just enjoy!
I do worry about the artificial sweeteners, though. I’m glad my kids choose not to drink them. If aspartame ends up doing horrible things to me, at least I know my kids will be ok.
Does anyone know if there have been any scientifically validated studies published in peer reviewed journals showing any link between moderate consumption of artificial sweeteners and any health issues?
(I’m not concerned about any potential links between diet soda consumption and weight gain because that hasn’t been an issue for me.)
Of course, there is always the potential for health issues when consumption hits crazy-high levels. I remember reading that there were links between the artificial butter flavoring used in microwave popcorn and certain health issues. Apparently there were people eating sone crazy amount of the stuff – like 5-10 bags per day, every day – who had suffered some sort of adverse health effects. I don’t remember the details.
Nottelling- the diet colas really are bad for bone density in women. That is my main concern.
The popcorn “butter” issue is not about eating it, it’s about breathing the vapors when you open the bag or for people who work in theaters or manufacturing plants. It can lead to lung disease. It is mostly a worker safety problem.
Wow, nottelling…3 cans a day? I guess I don’t feel so bad, then, having one can a day! 
Especially since I don’t eat any processed foods either. Really healthy stuff, even brussels sprouts, yum. I don’t drink coffee or even alcohol, so this really is my one vice. Well, I suppose one can a day isn’t sooooo bad! (I’ll just convince myself of that) Now, gotta work on eliminating chocolate…nah 
D1 never drinks sodas. I almost never do. D2 is addicted to diet sodas and energy drinks. I’ve nagged a little to but to no avail so far.
Lately I’ve kind of gotten into drinking green tea, though I do have a cup of coffee in the am.
@shellz - The way to cook lima beans is to do it the way my grandma did. Baked Lima beans made like regular homemade baked beans… just instead of northern beans put in the lima beans…all that bacon,brown sugar and molasses makes them taste yummy.
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Lately I’ve kind of gotten into drinking green tea,
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I know that green tea is healthier, but I can’t drink it unless it’s blended with something else. Straight green tea (from tea bags) tastes fishy to me.
@mom2collegekids, my green tea comes in those little capsules you put into your keurig coffee maker. I might not like it from a bag, or maybe I’d like it better. I just have one cup a day with a little stevia mixed in.
I drink iced tea with no sweetener, but for some reason I like a little sweetener in my hot drinks.
Thanks, @MichiganGeorgia ! I’ll give it a whirl. Now, if there’s a way to prepare them so that they are not full of added bacon/sugar (which I love, hubby might not), I’d take note of that too. I love this thread!
There is a huge variation in how different green teas taste! For instance, Lipton green tea tastes really nasty.
My favorite so far is this fruity green tea:
http://www.mightyleaf.com/tea-pouches_top-rated/green-tea-tropical-tea-pouches/?HPTropR
If anyone wants to taste it before committing big bucks, Nordstrom Cafes serve it.
@BunsenBurner see, that sounds good. It’s a blend. I will order and try. Thanks
Mom2collegekids- I used to hate green tea but my H started drinking it after a trip to China. I eventually developed a taste for it and I now prefer it iced over black tea. I drink my tea unsweetened. My H isn’t that picky about brands but he has found a few that he doesn’t care for. He likes the Mighty leaf brand BunsenBurner mentioned. He also likes Trader Joes, Stash brand and Tazo Zen green tea. He won’t drink Lipton or the Whole Foods brand.
I have never been a soda drinker. If I do I will take regular Dr Pepper or Squirt over a cola. I have a problem where my kidneys and bladder don’t like artificial sweeteners. Granted I might drink two or 3 sodas in a year. I never had soda around the house and of my 3 kids only 1 drinks any soda. He is also my kid who loves juice.
I do keep Izze or Pellagrino sodas on hand for guests and S.
Dining out H and the kids usually order water. I will almost always order iced tea.
Ohhh, I do so love the San Pellegrino sodas…made with cane sugar. I particularly like the pomegranate orange. With a splash of vodka, but that’s another story.
^^I could be wrong, but splash of vodka in any carbonated drink is called Northern Lights: you will instantly see them after consuming said mix (alcohol absorbs so much faster due to carbon dioxide pressurization of the stomach). 